skycultures/chinese_yuan_dynasty/description.md
The Tianwen Huichao(天文汇钞) star catalog is an important record of stellar observations completed in the late Yuan Dynasty (around 1363 CE). It adopts a unique "chart-plus-table" format, in which data are attached beneath the plotted stars, recording high-precision positional data for 741 stars. This format is unparalleled in ancient Chinese star catalogs. This catalog represents one of the highest achievements of traditional Chinese stellar observation before the introduction of Western astronomy.
The Tianwen Huichao star catalog is preserved in the Sanyuan Lieshe Ruxiu Quji Ji (三垣列舍入宿去极集, Compilation of Lunar-Mansion Longitudes and Polar Distances for the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions), a section of the Ming-Dynasty (1368-1644) manuscript Tianwen Huichao. It was discovered in 1983 by the scholar Pan Nai at the National Library of China.
In traditional Chinese astronomy, ruxiu du (入宿度, "entering degree") measures the angular distance of a star eastward from the determinative star of a lunar mansion along the equator. It is functionally analogous to right ascension, but its zero point is defined by the mansion's determinative star rather than the vernal equinox. Quji du (去极度, "departure-from-pole degree") measures the angular distance of a star from the north celestial pole, which is essentially the complement of declination (i.e., 90° minus declination). Although both concepts are similar to modern right ascension and declination, their calculation methods differ because they are based on the 28-lunar-mansion system and polar distance rather than a full spherical coordinate frame.
Early scholars speculated that the catalog might have been measured by Guo Shoujing in the early Yuan Dynasty (late 13th century). However, precise calculations using Fourier analysis and Bootstrap statistics have determined that its actual observational epoch is around 1362 CE, in the late Yuan Dynasty. Hence it was not the work of Guo Shoujing.
Nevertheless, Guo Shoujing made indelible contributions to the development of astronomy during the Yuan Dynasty. He directed the construction of thirteen precision astronomical instruments, including the Simplified Armilla (简仪, Jianyi), the Gnomon (仰仪, Yangyi), and the Large Gnomon (高表, Gaobiao). The Simplified Armilla drastically simplified the traditional armillary sphere; its equatorial design predated similar European instruments by more than three hundred years, and it incorporated two alignment lines (similar to cross-hairs) in the sighting tube to improve aiming accuracy.
Simplified Armilla (简仪) in Beijing Ancient Observatory, invented by Guo Shoujing
He also initiated the "Four Seas Survey" (四海测验, Sihai Ceyan), establishing 27 observation stations across the territory of the Yuan Dynasty to systematically measure the altitude of the North Pole and the summer solstice shadow lengths. The geographical coverage was unprecedented in the history of world astronomy. Based on these empirical data, Guo Shoujing and his collaborators compiled the Shoushi Calendar (授时历, Season-Granting Calendar) in 1280. Its tropical year length of 365.2425 days is exactly the same as that of the Gregorian calendar, yet it was completed more than three hundred years earlier, and it remained in use in China for 364 years – the longest-lasting calendar in ancient China. It can be said that Guo Shoujing pushed traditional Chinese stellar observation and calendrical computation to their zenith. The Tianwen Huichao star catalog was precisely another important achievement, completed in the late Yuan under the tradition of instruments and empirical measurement that he had established.
The images show the positions of all 741 coordinates in the Tianwen Huichao star catalog. The green crosses represent the data from the original source, while the other colors represent the results of scholars' corrections to the coordinates.
During the late Yuan period, Emperor Shundi (Toghon Temür) showed a strong interest in astronomy. He not only personally crafted an elaborate automatic water-clock, but also valued simple instruments such as portable sundials presented by officials of the Bureau of Astronomy, and he dabbled in numerology and astrological divination. This imperial enthusiasm provided external impetus for large-scale stellar observations in the late Yuan. At the same time, precision instruments like the Abridged Armilla, cast by Guo Shoujing during the Zhiyuan reign, were still preserved at the observatory, offering good internal conditions for observation.
Although social upheaval in the late Yuan may have affected the training of observers and the proper maintenance of instruments, the completion of the Tianwen Huichao star catalog demonstrates that the Bureau of Astronomy at that time was still capable of high-level stellar observation.
The catalog was transmitted during the Ming Dynasty in manuscript form, and its unique chart-plus-table format later spread to Japan, where it was inherited by the famous Edo-period astronomer Shibukawa Harumi, influencing the development of traditional Japanese star lore.
The Tianwen Huichao star catalog possesses several characteristics that are extremely rare in ancient Chinese star catalogs. First, it adopts a "chart-plus-table" format: within each constellation diagram stars are drawn, and for more than half of the stars the values of ruxiu du (entering degree) and quji du (polar distance) are directly annotated below them. This close integration of chart and data is unparalleled in Chinese history.
Second, the catalog contains 741 stellar coordinate entries, covering the Twenty-Eight Mansions and a large number of inner and outer constellations. Unlike earlier catalogs that usually measured only the determinative star (距星, primary star) of each constellation, this catalog gives coordinates for all or most of the member stars of the constellations it covers, revealing an intention to systematically measure the entire sky.
Third, the graduation values are precise to 0.1 degree, significantly finer than most earlier catalogs (e.g., Song-Dynasty catalogs were usually only precise to whole degrees or half degrees).
Moreover, the catalog forms an independent volume without any attached astrological omens, which is completely different from the traditional style of astrological texts, and is much closer to a purely astrometric work. It is precisely these unique features that have attracted great scholarly attention since its discovery.
Through rigorous mathematical-statistical filtering, the observational epoch of the Tianwen Huichao star catalog has been determined to be around 1362 CE (late Yuan). In terms of observational accuracy, the overall systematic error is about 0.12°, the standard deviation of the measured polar distances is 0.32°, and the random error after removing the systematic component is 0.21°. After further filtering out anomalous data, a stable sample of 509 stars is obtained, for which the standard deviation drops to 0.15° and the random error to 0.12°. Compared with the Huangyou star catalog of the Northern Song Dynasty (random error about 0.44°), the accuracy is improved by a factor of about two. However, it is still slightly inferior to the accuracy of the twenty-eight mansion polar distances measured by Guo Shoujing himself (about 4.3 arcminutes), which likely reflects the social turmoil, loss of skilled observers, and inadequate instrument maintenance during the late Yuan period.
The appearance of the Tianwen Huichao star catalog fills the gap in Chinese stellar observational records between Guo Shoujing's time and the Ming Dynasty, providing crucial material for studying the level of astronomical observation in the late Yuan. Together with the early Ming Datong Tongzhan star catalog, it demonstrates the process of continuous improvement in traditional Chinese stellar observation from the Song Dynasty to its peak in the late Yuan / early Ming.
More importantly, this catalog represents the highest accuracy achievable by indigenous Chinese stellar observation before the large‑scale introduction of Western astronomy – a random error as low as about 5 arcminutes. As a rare "chart-plus-table" star catalog devoid of astrological content, it provides invaluable material evidence for the study of ancient astronomical instrument use, observation methods, changes in constellation transmission, and star-chart drawing techniques. Its unique format later spread to Japan and was inherited by astronomers such as Shibukawa Harumi, becoming an important example of East Asian astronomical exchange.
In the traditional Chinese constellation system (in Chinese, "constellation" is called "Xingguan"), the number of stars and the connecting lines of each constellation are fixed. The entire system comprises 283 constellations, with a total of 1464 stars.
However, the Tianwen Huichao star catalog records positional data for only 741 stars, which means it does not cover the full traditional system. Some constellations have no star with annotated data at all, while others have only a portion of their stars annotated. For constellations with missing data, the handling is more difficult. The original text is itself a star chart, from which the relative positions of the missing stars and the annotated stars within the constellation can be clearly seen. If one connects only the stars that have data, although this respects the principle of rigor, it would lose the positional information of the unannotated stars and thus undermine the integrity of the constellation.
To address this issue, scholars such as Pan Nai, Cao Jun, and Yang Boshun have conducted restoration work for the missing stars in the Tianwen Huichao star catalog. Following their efforts, the present study adopts a compromise solution: the constellation lines connect all stars that have data; at the same time, asterism lines are used to restore the complete form of the traditional constellation, including those stars without data. The restoration of the traditional constellations follows mainly the research of Yang Boshun.
Nevertheless, a small number of constellations remain difficult to restore due to extremely sparse data. One notable example is Tengshe (Flying Serpent), which traditionally consists of 22 stars, but only one of them has positional data in the catalog. In such a case, a reliable restoration is impossible, and therefore no asterism line is used for this constellation. The image below shows the depiction of Tengshe in the Tianwen Huichao star catalog, where the vast majority of its stars lack annotated coordinates.
Tengshe (Flying Serpent) in the Tianwen Huichao star catalog – only one star has data.
It should be noted that if a given constellation has no star with data at all, it will not be displayed, and such constellations will not appear in the asterism lines of this sky culture. In addition, there are two special constellations – the Shi'erguo (Twelve States) and the Yulinjun (Palace Guard). Although they contain some data, the accuracy of those data is obviously low, and they were likely intermingled early observations. Therefore, they are also omitted from presentation in Stellarium.
Additionally, the coordinates of two constellations, Bodu (Textile Ruler) and Tusi (Butcher's Shops), completely overlap. In the Stellarium implementation, only Tusi (Butcher's Shops) is displayed, while Bodu (Textile Ruler) is not shown.
China, Japan, and Korea share the same constellation system. The Chinese characters used for constellation names are largely identical, but their English translations differ, and the pronunciations in each language are completely different. Given the unique consistency of East Asian sky cultures, it is necessary to have an identical field as a primary key to identify the same constellation across different cultures. This will facilitate further comparative cultural research based on Stellarium.
According to Stellarium's specification, constellation IDs (Abbreviated names) should use pronunciation-based abbreviations for ease of memorization, rather than plain numbers. However, as noted above, using a numeric ID as a common primary key across East Asian sky cultures is a more suitable choice. Therefore, we have decided to use numeric IDs instead of pronunciation-based abbreviations — not only because pronunciations vary across regions, but also because a dedicated pronounce field already exists, so there is no need for a redundant ID that reflects pronunciation.
The order of constellation IDs in the current East Asian sky culture is derived from the Tang-Dynasty Chinese constellation poem Bu Tian Ge (Song of the Sky Pacers). This poem is widely known, and the constellation sequence it records is regarded as a conventional standard. Specifically, all 283 constellations are divided into 31 groups based on the Three Enclosures and the 28 Mansions. The Three Enclosures each use an initial letter (P, S, H) as a prefix, followed by numbers for the constellations within each Enclosure. Here P stands for the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, S for the Supreme Palace Enclosure, and H for the Heavenly Market Enclosure. In contrast, the 28 Mansions are numbered from 01 to 28, and the constellations within each mansion are named with letters. For example, 01A denotes the first constellation of the Horn Mansion.
Purple Forbidden Enclosure (Chinese: 紫微垣, Pinyin: Zǐ Wēi Yuán) is the place where the Heavenly Emperor resides and discusses affairs with close ministers.
Northern Pole (Chinese: 北极, Pinyin: Běi Jí) consists of 5 stars in the central part of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. It is one of the most important constellations in Chinese star culture. The five stars are Crown Prince (γ UMi), Emperor (β UMi), Bastard (4 UMi), Harem (3 UMi), and Northern Pole star (HIP 62572, also known as Celestial Pivot or Ancient Star).
Due to precession, the Emperor Star (β UMi) was the brightest star closest to the north celestial pole for a long period before the Common Era, making it the North Star at that time. This period was crucial for the formation of the star official system, so this star held a lofty status and was regarded as the Celestial Emperor. The three stars around the Emperor Star (γ UMi, 4 UMi, 3 UMi) were seen as the Three Excellencies assisting the Celestial Emperor, which were the three highest-ranking officials in ancient times.
Starting from the Han Dynasty, the north celestial pole gradually moved away from the Emperor Star and approached the faint star HIP 65595. This was the era when Chinese constellations were finally established. HIP 65595 was considered the North Star at that time, and together with the aforementioned Emperor Star and the Three Excellencies, a total of five stars formed the Northern Pole constellation. The meaning of the star officials was also reconstructed, with the Three Excellencies becoming Crown Prince, Bastard, and Harem.
Soon, before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the north celestial pole approached HIP 62572. This star is also faint but brighter than HIP 65595, so HIP 62572 replaced the previous HIP 65595 and became the new North Star. For several hundred years thereafter, spanning important dynasties such as Sui, Tang, Song, and Yuan, up to the Ming Dynasty when the Xianglin star chart was drawn, this star was observed as the North Star in China.
In the Ming Dynasty, the north celestial pole moved away from HIP 62572 and approached α UMi, which is the contemporary North Star. However, since α UMi, as the brightest star in the Gou Chen constellation, already had a meaning that had been used for millennia, it could not be included as a member of the North Star official. Therefore, HIP 62572 continued to retain its name as Northern Pole Celestial Pivot, even though it was no longer the North Star.
Curved Array (Chinese: 钩陈, Pinyin: Gōu Chén) consists of 6 stars in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, arranged like a hook. It represents the Emperor's harem, with the brightest star α UMi representing the primary consort.
During the Han Dynasty, Curved Array consisted of 4 stars (α, δ, ε, ζ). Later, no later than the Jin Dynasty, two stars were added (HIP 16489, HIP 4283). Because the two newly added stars at the hook's head were too faint, its shape frequently changed on star charts. Since the Song Dynasty, it was fixed as 2 UMi and HIP 112833. Later, due to positional changes of the Interior Seats of the Five Emperors, during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, HIP 112833 was replaced by HIP 113116.
Interior Seats of the Five Emperors (Chinese: 五帝内座, Pinyin: Wǔ Dì Nèi Zuò) consists of 5 stars under the Canopy of the Emperor, beside the Canopy Support. They are the seats of the Five Emperors of the five directions. The Five Emperors include the Green Emperor, Red Emperor, Yellow Emperor, White Emperor, and Black Emperor, corresponding to the east, south, center, west, and north directions respectively.
Maids-in-waiting (Chinese: 御女, Pinyin: Yù Nǚ) consists of 4 stars north of the Curved Array, serving as maids in the palace.
Female Protocol (Chinese: 女史, Pinyin: Nǚ Shǐ) is 1 star north of the Official of Royal Archives. It is a female official in charge of timekeeping by water clock in the palace.
Hidden Virtue (Chinese: 阴德, Pinyin: Yīn Dé) consists of 2 stars inside the Purple Forbidden Enclosure gate, west of the Royal Secretary. It refers to good deeds done in secret, in charge of benefiting the people and providing relief and comfort.
Inner Kitchen (Chinese: 内厨, Pinyin: Nèi Chú) consists of 2 stars outside the southwest corner of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the kitchen responsible for the palace's diet.
Celestial Kitchen (Chinese: 天厨, Pinyin: Tiān Chú) consists of 6 stars outside the northeast corner of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the kitchen responsible for state banquet catering.
Administrative Center (Chinese: 文昌, Pinyin: Wén Chāng) consists of 6 stars in front of the bowl of the Northern Dipper (the Big Dipper), west of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, shaped like a half-moon and a basket, known as "the dipper wearing a basket". It is a collective name for six government departments or officials, including the Great General, Second General, Distinguished Premier, Deified Judge of Life, Deified Judge of Central Affairs, and Deified Judge of Rank, in charge of cultural education, etiquette and music, rewarding and punishing officials, adding salaries, and promoting officials to higher positions.
There are two theories regarding the number of stars in this constellation: six or seven. The original version consisted of seven stars: ο, τ, 23, υ, φ, θ, 15 UMa. In later Chinese traditions, the six-star version became mainstream. During the Tang Dynasty, due to inaccuracies in star charting, the entire constellation rotated counterclockwise, leading to changes in the corresponding stars, which were then altered to 23, υ, φ, θ, 15, HIP 44504/18 UMa, making a total of six stars. However, the older version continued to circulate. The Administrative Center constellation depicted in the Xianglin star chart is the early, unaltered version.
Three Top Instructors (Chinese: 三师, Pinyin: Sān Shī) consists of 3 stars west of the first star (α UMa) of the bowl of the Northern Dipper. The Three Top Instructors are the Grand Protector, Grand Tutor, and Grand Preceptor, the highest officials responsible for national military and political affairs.
Northern Dipper (Chinese: 北斗, Pinyin: Běi Dǒu) consists of 7 stars south of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, corresponds to the Big Dipper in the West. The first 4 stars (α, β, γ, δ UMa) are called Dou Kui (the Bowl or Ladle's Head), and the last 3 stars (ε, ζ, η UMa) are called Dou Bing or Dou Shao (the Handle). Shaped like a ladle and located in the northern sky, it symbolizes the Heavenly Emperor's chariot.
The Northern Dipper lies within the circumpolar circle, is highly distinctive, and its stars are bright. Therefore, it became a crucial constellation for determining direction and indicating the seasons. By using the Northern Dipper, one can easily locate other bright stars and constellations in the sky.
Three Excellencies (Chinese: 三公, Pinyin: Sān Gōng) consists of 3 stars south of the Northern Dipper's handle. The Three Excellencies include the Grand Commandant, Minister over the Masses, and Minister of Works, the same as the Three Top Instructors, three highly respected official positions.
Sombre Lance (Chinese: 玄戈, Pinyin: Xuán Gē) is 1 star north of the Twinkling Indicator, close to the Celestial Spear and one end of the Northern Dipper. This is a weapon, a halberd, the celestial lance or a weapon used by northern nomadic tribes. It is used to divine whether northern nomadic tribes will invade.
Celestial Flail (Chinese: 天棓, Pinyin: Tiān Bàng) consists of 5 stars northeast of the Woman's Bed, a big stick, like the Celestial Spear, also a defensive weapon.
Royals (Chinese: 太尊, Pinyin: Tài Zūn) is 1 star north of the Middle Step. It represents royal relatives.
Supreme Palace Enclosure (Chinese: 太微垣, Pinyin: Tài Wēi Yuán) is the Heavenly Court where the Heavenly Emperor handles government affairs, mainly composed of various officials. The south gate is called the Meridian Gate.
Seats of the Five Emperors (Chinese: 五帝座, Pinyin: Wǔ Dì Zuò) consists of 5 stars in the center of the Supreme Palace Enclosure, the seats of the Five Emperors of the five directions. In the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, there is also the Interior Seats of the Five Emperors. The central bright star (β Leo) is the seat of Yellow Emperor, symbolizing the Son of Heaven.
Inner Screen (Chinese: 内屏, Pinyin: Nèi Píng) consists of 4 stars inside the Meridian Gate, near the south of the Seats of the Five Emperors, close to the Right Law Administrator (β Vir).
Usher to the Court (Chinese: 谒者, Pinyin: Yè Zhě) is 1 star north of the Left Law Administrator (η Vir).
Nine Senior Officers (Chinese: 九卿, Pinyin: Jiǔ Qīng) consists of 3 stars, north of the Three Excellencies.
Five Lords (Chinese: 五诸侯, Pinyin: Wǔ Zhū Hóu) consists of 5 stars, south of the Officers of the Imperial Guard.
Crown Prince (Chinese: 太子, Pinyin: Tài Zǐ) is 1 star north of the Seat of Yellow Emperor.
Retinue (Chinese: 从官, Pinyin: Cóng Guān) is 1 star northwest of the Crown Prince.
Officers of the Imperial Guard (Chinese: 郎位, Pinyin: Láng Wèi) consists of 15 stars, northeast of the Seats of the Five Emperors.
Captain of the Bodyguards (Chinese: 郎将, Pinyin: Láng Jiàng) is 1 star northeast of the Officers of the Imperial Guard.
Emperor's Bodyguard (Chinese: 虎贲, Pinyin: Hǔ Bēn) is 1 star south of the Lower Step.
Three Steps (Chinese: 三台, Pinyin: Sān Tái) consists of 6 stars, the Three Steps start from the Administrative Center and line up in the Supreme Palace Enclosure.
Upper Step (Chinese: 上台, Pinyin: Shàng Tái) as a part of the Three Steps, consists of 2 stars.
Middle Step (Chinese: 中台, Pinyin: Zhōng Tái) as a part of the Three Steps, consists of 2 stars.
Lower Step (Chinese: 下台, Pinyin: Xià Tái) as a part of the Three Steps, consists of 2 stars, north of the Supreme Palace West Wall.
Astronomical Observatory (Chinese: 灵台, Pinyin: Líng Tái) consists of 3 stars west of the Hall of Glory.
The Hall of Glory (Chinese: 明堂, Pinyin: Míng Táng) consists of 3 stars outside the southwest corner of the Supreme Palace Enclosure.
Heavenly Market Enclosure (Chinese: 天市垣, Pinyin: Tiān Shì Yuán) is the market in the sky.
Emperor's Seat (Chinese: 帝座, Pinyin: Dì Zuò) is 1 star in the Heavenly Market Enclosure, west of the Astrologer.
Astrologer (Chinese: 候, Pinyin: Hòu) is 1 star northeast of the Emperor's Seat.
Eunuch Official (Chinese: 宦者, Pinyin: Huàn Zhě) consists of 4 stars west of the Emperor's Seat.
Official for the Royal Clan (Chinese: 宗正, Pinyin: Zōng Zhèng) consists of 2 stars southeast of the Emperor's Seat.
Official of Religious Ceremonies (Chinese: 宗人, Pinyin: Zōng Rén) consists of 4 stars east of the Official for the Royal Clan.
Patriarchal Clan Stars (Chinese: 宗星, Pinyin: Zōng Xīng) consists of 2 stars north of the Official of Religious Ceremonies, east of the Astrologer.
Municipal Office (Chinese: 市楼, Pinyin: Shì Lóu) consists of 6 stars in the market, above the Winnowing Basket.
Commodity Market (Chinese: 车肆, Pinyin: Chē Sì) consists of 2 stars inside the right star of the Heavenly Market Enclosure gate.
Dipper for Solids (Chinese: 斛, Pinyin: Hú) consists of 4 stars in the market, south of the Dipper for Liquids.
Dipper for Liquids (Chinese: 斗, Pinyin: Dǒu) consists of 5 stars southwest of the Eunuch Official.
Jewel Market (Chinese: 列肆, Pinyin: Liè Sì) consists of 2 stars in the Heavenly Market Enclosure, northwest of the Dipper for Solids.
Textile Ruler (Chinese: 帛度, Pinyin: Bó Dù) consists of 2 stars northeast of the Patriarchal Clan Stars.
The coordinates of two constellations, Textile Ruler and Butcher's Shops, completely overlap in Tianwen Huichao catalog. In the Stellarium implementation, only Tusi (Butcher's Shops) is displayed, while Bodu (Textile Ruler) is not shown.
Butcher's Shops (Chinese: 屠肆, Pinyin: Tú Sì) consists of 2 stars north of the Textile Ruler.
The coordinates of two constellations, Textile Ruler and Butcher's Shops, completely overlap in Tianwen Huichao catalog. In the Stellarium implementation, only Tusi (Butcher's Shops) is displayed, while Bodu (Textile Ruler) is not shown.
Celestial Discipline (Chinese: 天纪, Pinyin: Tiān Jì) consists of 9 stars east of the Coiled Thong.
Woman's Bed (Chinese: 女床, Pinyin: Nǚ Chuáng) consists of 3 stars north of the Celestial Discipline.
Seven Excellencies (Chinese: 七公, Pinyin: Qī Gōng) consists of 7 stars east of the Twinkling Indicator.
Horn (Chinese: 角宿, Pinyin: Jiǎo Xiù) consists of 2 stars.
Flat Road (Chinese: 平道, Pinyin: Píng Dào) consists of 2 stars beside the Left Horn (α Vir) and the Right Horn (ζ Vir).
Recommending Virtuous Men (Chinese: 进贤, Pinyin: Jìn Xián) is 1 star west of the Flat Road.
Celestial Farmland (Chinese: 天田, Pinyin: Tiān Tián) consists of 2 stars north of the Right Horn (ζ Vir).
Tripod of the Zhou (Chinese: 周鼎, Pinyin: Zhōu Dǐng) consists of 3 stars west of the Right Conductor, above the Horn Mansion.
Celestial Gate (Chinese: 天门, Pinyin: Tiān Mén) consists of 2 stars south of the Left Horn (α Vir), north of the Judging Stars.
Judging Stars (Chinese: 平星, Pinyin: Píng Xīng) consists of 2 stars north of the Arsenal.
Neck (Chinese: 亢宿, Pinyin: Kàng Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Great Horn (Chinese: 大角, Pinyin: Dà Jiǎo) is 1 star between the left and right Conductors.
Left Conductor (Chinese: 左摄提, Pinyin: Zuǒ Shè Tí) consists of 3 stars. The left and right Conductors sandwiching the Great Horn
Right Conductor (Chinese: 右摄提, Pinyin: Yòu Shè Tí) consists of 3 stars, directly south of the handle of the Northern Dipper. The left and right Conductors sandwiching the Great Horn
Root (Chinese: 氐宿, Pinyin: Dī Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Celestial Lance (Chinese: 梗河, Pinyin: Gěng Hé) consists of 3 stars north of the Great Horn, north of the Mattress of the Emperor.
Twinkling Indicator (Chinese: 招摇, Pinyin: Zhāo Yáo) is 1 star north of the Celestial Lance.
Mattress of the Emperor (Chinese: 帝席, Pinyin: Dì Xí) consists of 3 stars east of the Great Horn.
Celestial Milk (Chinese: 天乳, Pinyin: Tiān Rǔ) is 1 star northeast of the Root Mansion.
Celestial Spokes (Chinese: 天辐, Pinyin: Tiān Fú) consists of 2 stars, diagonally lined west of the Room Mansion.
Room (Chinese: 房宿, Pinyin: Fáng Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Lock (Chinese: 钩钤, Pinyin: Gōu Qián) consists of 2 stars north of the Room Mansion.
Door Bolt (Chinese: 键闭, Pinyin: Jiàn Bì) is 1 star northeast of the Room Mansion.
Punishment (Chinese: 罚, Pinyin: Fá) consists of 3 stars west of the Eastern Door, lined north-south.
Eastern Door (Chinese: 东咸, Pinyin: Dōng Xián) consists of 4 stars northeast of the Room Mansion.
Western Door (Chinese: 西咸, Pinyin: Xī Xián) consists of 4 stars north of the Room Mansion.
Solar Star (Chinese: 日, Pinyin: Rì) is 1 star in the middle path of the Room Mansion.
Retinue (Chinese: 从官, Pinyin: Cóng Guān) consists of 2 stars south of the Room Mansion stars.
Heart (Chinese: 心宿, Pinyin: Xīn Xiù) consists of 3 stars.
Tail (Chinese: 尾宿, Pinyin: Wěi Xiù) consists of 9 stars.
Changing Room (Chinese: 神宫, Pinyin: Shén Gōng) is 1 star beside the second star of the Tail Mansion (μ1 Sco).
Celestial River (Chinese: 天江, Pinyin: Tiān Jiāng) consists of 4 stars north of the Tail Mansion.
Fu Yue (Chinese: 傅说, Pinyin: Fù Yuè) is 1 star behind the Tail Mansion.
Winnowing Basket (Chinese: 箕宿, Pinyin: Jī Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Chaff (Chinese: 糠, Pinyin: Kāng) is 1 star in front of the Winnowing Basket Mansion's tongue, northwest of the Pestle.
Dipper (Chinese: 斗宿, Pinyin: Dǒu Xiù) or Southern Dipper, consists of 6 stars.
Establishment Stars (Chinese: 建星, Pinyin: Jiàn Xīng) consists of 6 stars north of the Southern Dipper.
Market Officer (Chinese: 天弁, Pinyin: Tiān Biàn) consists of 9 stars north of the Establishment Stars.
Dog (Chinese: 狗, Pinyin: Gǒu) consists of 2 stars.
Celestial Cock (Chinese: 天鸡, Pinyin: Tiān Jī) consists of 2 stars north of the Territory of Dog, west of the Ox.
Territory of Dog (Chinese: 狗国, Pinyin: Gǒu Guó) consists of 4 stars southeast of the Establishment Stars.
Ox (Chinese: 牛宿, Pinyin: Niú Xiù) consists of 6 stars.
Celestial Drumstick (Chinese: 天桴, Pinyin: Tiān Fú) consists of 4 stars lined horizontally north of the Ox.
Drum at the River (Chinese: 河鼓, Pinyin: Hé Gǔ) consists of 3 stars northwest of the Ox.
Right Flag (Chinese: 右旗, Pinyin: Yòu Qí) consists of 9 stars north of the Ox, southwest of the Drum at the River.
Left Flag (Chinese: 左旗, Pinyin: Zuǒ Qí) consists of 9 stars beside the left of the Drum at the River.
Clepsydra Terrace (Chinese: 渐台, Pinyin: Jiàn Tái) consists of 4 stars southeast of the Weaving Girl.
Imperial Passageway (Chinese: 辇道, Pinyin: Niǎn Dào) consists of 5 stars northeast of the Clepsydra Terrace.
Weaving Girl (Chinese: 织女, Pinyin: Zhī Nǚ) consists of 3 stars at the eastern end of the Celestial Discipline, northeast of the Heavenly Market Enclosure.
Network of Dykes (Chinese: 罗堰, Pinyin: Luó Yàn) consists of 3 stars east of the Ox.
Girl (Chinese: 女宿, Pinyin: Nǚ Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Pearls on Ladies' Wear (Chinese: 离珠, Pinyin: Lí Zhū) consists of 5 stars north of the Girl.
Rotten Gourd (Chinese: 败瓜, Pinyin: Bài Guā) consists of 5 stars beside the Good Gourd.
Good Gourd (Chinese: 瓠瓜, Pinyin: Hù Guā) consists of 5 stars north of the Pearls on Ladies' Wear.
Celestial Ford (Chinese: 天津, Pinyin: Tiān Jīn) consists of 9 stars in the milky way north of the Good Gourd.
Emptiness (Chinese: 虚宿, Pinyin: Xū Xiù) consists of 2 stars.
Deified Judge of Life (Chinese: 司命, Pinyin: Sī Mìng) consists of 2 stars north of the Emptiness.
Deified Judge of Rank (Chinese: 司禄, Pinyin: Sī Lù) consists of 2 stars north of the Deified Judge of Life.
Deified Judge of Disaster and Good Fortune (Chinese: 司危, Pinyin: Sī Wēi) consists of 2 stars north of the Deified Judge of Rank.
Deified Judge of Right and Wrong (Chinese: 司非, Pinyin: Sī Fēi) consists of 2 stars north of the Deified Judge of Disaster and Good Fortune.
Rooftop (Chinese: 危宿, Pinyin: Wēi Xiù) consists of 3 stars southeast of the Celestial Ford.
Tomb (Chinese: 坟墓, Pinyin: Fén Mù) consists of 4 stars south of the Rooftop.
Humans Stars (Chinese: 人星, Pinyin: Rén Xīng) consists of 5 stars southeast of the Big Yard for Chariots, north of the Emptiness.
Celestial Hook (Chinese: 天钩, Pinyin: Tiān Gōu) consists of 9 stars north of Zaofu.
Encampment (Chinese: 室宿, Pinyin: Shì Xiù) consists of 2 stars.
Resting Palace (Chinese: 离宫, Pinyin: Lí Gōng) consists of 6 stars.
Flying Serpent (Chinese: 螣蛇, Pinyin: Téng Shé) consists of 22 stars north of the Encampment.
Official for Materials Supply (Chinese: 土公吏, Pinyin: Tǔ Gōng Lì) consists of 2 stars southwest of the Encampment.
Line of Ramparts (Chinese: 垒壁阵, Pinyin: Lěi Bì Zhèn) consists of 12 stars south of the Encampment and Wall, north of the Palace Guard.
North Gate of the Military Camp (Chinese: 北落师门, Pinyin: Běi Luò Shī Mén) is 1 star southwest of the Palace Guard.
Materials for Making Tents (Chinese: 天纲, Pinyin: Tiān Gāng) is 1 star southwest of the North Gate of the Military Camp.
Wall (Chinese: 壁宿, Pinyin: Bì Xiù) consists of 2 stars.
Thunderbolt (Chinese: 霹雳, Pinyin: Pī Lì) consists of 5 stars southwest of the Official for Earthworks and Buildings, north of the Cloud and Rain.
Cloud and Rain (Chinese: 云雨, Pinyin: Yún Yǔ) consists of 4 stars south of the Thunderbolt, east of the Thunder and Lightning.
Legs (Chinese: 奎宿, Pinyin: Kuí Xiù) consists of 16 stars.
Auxiliary Road (Chinese: 附路, Pinyin: Fù Lù) is 1 star beside the south of the Flying Corridor, east of Wang Liang.
Flying Corridor (Chinese: 阁道, Pinyin: Gé Dào) consists of 6 stars in front of Wang Liang.
Southern Military Gate (Chinese: 军南门, Pinyin: Jūn Nán Mén) is 1 star southwest of the Great General of Heaven.
Outer Fence (Chinese: 外屏, Pinyin: Wài Píng) consists of 7 stars south of the Legs.
Master of Constructions (Chinese: 土司空, Pinyin: Tǔ Sī Kōng) is 1 star south of the Legs.
Bond (Chinese: 娄宿, Pinyin: Lóu Xiù) consists of 3 stars.
Great General of Heaven (Chinese: 天大将军, Pinyin: Tiān Dà Jiāng Jūn) consists of 11 stars north of the Bond.
Square Celestial Granary (Chinese: 天仓, Pinyin: Tiān Cāng) consists of 6 stars south of the Bond.
Stomach (Chinese: 胃宿, Pinyin: Wèi Xiù) consists of 3 stars.
Mausoleum (Chinese: 大陵, Pinyin: Dà Líng) consists of 8 stars north of the Stomach.
Heap of Corpses (Chinese: 积尸, Pinyin: Jī Shī) is 1 star in the Mausoleum.
Celestial Boat (Chinese: 天船, Pinyin: Tiān Chuán) consists of 9 stars north of the Mausoleum, in the milky way.
Stored water (Chinese: 积水, Pinyin: Jī Shuǐ) is 1 star in the Celestial Boat.
Circular Celestial Granary (Chinese: 天囷, Pinyin: Tiān Qūn) consists of 13 stars south of the Stomach, shaped like a character "乙".
Celestial Foodstuff (Chinese: 天廪, Pinyin: Tiān Lǐn) consists of 4 stars south of the Hairy Head.
Hairy Head (Chinese: 昴宿, Pinyin: Mǎo Xiù) consists of 7 stars.
Rolled Tongue (Chinese: 卷舌, Pinyin: Juǎn Shé) consists of 6 stars north of the Hairy Head.
Celestial Slander (Chinese: 天谗, Pinyin: Tiān Chán) is 1 star in the Rolled Tongue.
Lunar Star (Chinese: 月, Pinyin: Yuè) is 1 star east of the Hairy Head.
Celestial Yin Force (Chinese: 天阴, Pinyin: Tiān Yīn) consists of 5 stars west of the Net's handle.
Celestial Meadows (Chinese: 天苑, Pinyin: Tiān Yuàn) consists of 16 stars south of the Net.
Net (Chinese: 毕宿, Pinyin: Bì Xiù) consists of 8 stars.
Whisper (Chinese: 附耳, Pinyin: Fù Ěr) is 1 star under the Net.
Celestial Street (Chinese: 天街, Pinyin: Tiān Jiē) consists of 2 stars between the Hairy Head and Net, near the east of the Lunar Star.
Feudal Kings (Chinese: 诸王, Pinyin: Zhū Wáng) consists of 6 stars south of the Five Chariots.
Celestial High Terrace (Chinese: 天高, Pinyin: Tiān Gāo) consists of 4 stars west of the Banner of Three Stars, near the Net.
Five Chariots (Chinese: 五车, Pinyin: Wǔ Chē) consists of 5 stars northeast of the Net.
Celestial Pass (Chinese: 天关, Pinyin: Tiān Guān) is 1 star south of the Five Chariots, northwest of the Three Stars.
Banner of Three Stars (Chinese: 参旗, Pinyin: Shēn Qí) consists of 9 stars west of the Three Stars.
Turtle Beak (Chinese: 觜宿, Pinyin: Zī Xiù) consists of 3 stars.
Deity in Charge of Monsters (Chinese: 司怪, Pinyin: Sī Guài) consists of 4 stars in front of the Well and the Battle Axe.
Three Stars (Chinese: 参宿, Pinyin: Shēn Xiù) consists of 7 stars.
Send Armed Forces To Suppress (Chinese: 伐, Pinyin: Fá) consists of 3 small stars in the center of the Three Stars.
Jade Well (Chinese: 玉井, Pinyin: Yù Jǐng) consists of 4 stars under the left foot of the Three Stars (β Ori).
Military Well (Chinese: 军井, Pinyin: Jūn Jǐng) consists of 4 stars southeast of the Jade Well.
Toilet (Chinese: 厕, Pinyin: Cè) consists of 4 stars east of the Screen.
Well (Chinese: 井宿, Pinyin: Jǐng Xiù) or Eastern Well, consists of 8 stars.
Battle Axe (Chinese: 钺, Pinyin: Yuè) is 1 star attached to the front of the Well Mansion.
Celestial Wine Cup (Chinese: 天罇, Pinyin: Tiān Zūn) consists of 3 stars north of the Well, south of the Five Feudal Kings.
Five Feudal Kings (Chinese: 五诸侯, Pinyin: Wǔ Zhū Hóu) consists of 5 stars north of the Eastern Well, near the North River.
North River (Chinese: 北河, Pinyin: Běi Hé) consists of 3 stars.
South River (Chinese: 南河, Pinyin: Nán Hé) consists of 3 stars northeast of the Three Stars.
Accumulated water (Chinese: 积水, Pinyin: Jī Shuǐ) is 1 star northwest of the North River.
Pile of Firewood (Chinese: 积薪, Pinyin: Jī Xīn) is 1 star southeast of the Accumulated Water.
Water Level (Chinese: 水位, Pinyin: Shuǐ Wèi) consists of 4 stars, lined north-south east of the Eastern Well.
Wild Cockerel (Chinese: 野鸡, Pinyin: Yě Jī) is 1 star in the Market for Soldiers.
Wolf (Chinese: 狼, Pinyin: Láng) or Celestial Wolf is 1 star southeast of the Three Stars.
Bow and Arrow (Chinese: 弧矢, Pinyin: Hú Shǐ) consists of 9 stars southeast of the Wolf.
Grandfather (Chinese: 丈人, Pinyin: Zhàng Rén) consists of 2 stars southwest of the Market for Soldiers.
Son (Chinese: 子, Pinyin: Zǐ) consists of 2 stars east of the Grandfather.
Grandson (Chinese: 孙, Pinyin: Sūn) consists of 2 stars east of the Son.
Ghosts (Chinese: 鬼宿, Pinyin: Guǐ Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Cumulative Corpse Gas (Chinese: 积尸气, Pinyin: Jī Shī Qì) is 1 star in the center of the Ghosts Mansion.
Judge for Estimating the Age of Animals (Chinese: 天记, Pinyin: Tiān Jì) is 1 star south of the Outer Kitchen.
Willow (Chinese: 柳宿, Pinyin: Liǔ Xiù) consists of 8 stars.
Banner of Wine Shop (Chinese: 酒旗, Pinyin: Jiǔ Qí) consists of 3 stars south of the right tip of Xuanyuan.
Star (Chinese: 星宿, Pinyin: Xīng Xiù) consists of 7 stars.
Xuanyuan (Chinese: 轩辕, Pinyin: Xuān Yuán) consists of 17 stars north of the Star mansion.
Extended Net (Chinese: 张宿, Pinyin: Zhāng Xiù) consists of 6 stars.
Wings (Chinese: 翼宿, Pinyin: Yì Xiù) consists of 22 stars.
Chariot (Chinese: 轸宿, Pinyin: Zhěn Xiù) consists of 4 stars.
Left linchpin (Chinese: 左辖, Pinyin: Zuǒ Xiá) consists of 1 star.
Right linchpin (Chinese: 右辖, Pinyin: Yòu Xiá) consists of 1 star.
Changsha (Chinese: 长沙, Pinyin: Cháng Shā) is 1 star in the Chariot Mansion.
This sky culture was contributed by Lyu Haocheng. [email protected]
Statement: The basic reference for the cultural map of China's sky cultures is Tan Qixiang's Historical Atlas of China (中国历史地图集). It does not reflect any modern borders, nor does it reflect the political intentions of the artist, and is for reference only. The boundaries shown on the map have been significantly simplified and only indicate general outlines, without reflecting any detailed demarcation. The cartographer does not guarantee the accuracy of these boundaries, and any improvements with better delineations are welcome.
CC BY-SA 4.0